Large-scale Danian-age(post-K/Pg boundary)Deccan magmatism is well known from the Mumbai metropolitan area,located in the structurally complex Panvel flexure zone along the western Indian rifted continental margin.Thi...Large-scale Danian-age(post-K/Pg boundary)Deccan magmatism is well known from the Mumbai metropolitan area,located in the structurally complex Panvel flexure zone along the western Indian rifted continental margin.This compositionally diverse late-Deccan magmatic suite contains subaerial tholeiitic lavas and dykes typical of the main Deccan province,with many features atypical of the Deccan,such as spilitic pillow lavas,“intertrappean”sediments(often containing considerable volcanic ash),rhyolitic lavas and tuffs,gabbro-granophyre intrusions,and trachyte intrusions containing alkali basalt enclaves.Most of these units,previously dated at 62.5 Ma to 61 Ma,are contemporaneous with or slightly postdate the 62.5 Ma India-Seychelles continental breakup and Panvel flexure formation.In the Dongri-Uttan area,two samples of a>50-m-thick,columnar-jointed rhyolite from the Darkhan Quarry and from a section behind the current Uttan Sagari Police Station have previously been dated at 62.6±0.6 Ma and 62.9±0.2 Ma(^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar,2r errors).New exposures reveal that these two statistically indistinguishable 40 Ar/39 Ar ages correspond to two distinct rhyolite units,separated by well-bedded silicic ash.The columnar rhyolites are microcrystalline,composed of quartz and alkali feldspar,with rare small(1–2 mm),altered feldspar phenocrysts,and no recognisable relict vitroclasts.Given the westerly structural dip,most of their lateral extent is submerged under the Arabian Sea,and we consider them to be possible flood rhyolite lavas.We interpret the ash beds,composed of pumice clasts and glass shards,as a low-grade(nonwelded)vitric ash,derived from a possibly distal Plinian eruption and deposited by fallout.The lavas and ash are peraluminous rhyolites.The lavas are Sr-Ba-poor and Rb-Zr-Nb-rich,and show“seagull-shaped”rare earth element patterns with deep negative europium anomalies.These crystal-poor lavas are“hot-dry-reduced”rhyolites typical of intraplate,continental rift and rifted margin settings.The very different high-field strength element contents of the lavas and the ash indicate compositionally distinct magma batches.The 62.5 Ma Dongri-Uttan sequence provides clear evidence for rapid silicic eruptions of effusive and explosive nature,alternating with each other and sourced from distinct magma chambers and eruptive vents.A newly identified,highly feldspar-phyric trachyte intrusion marks the last phase of magmatic activity in the area,corresponding with late-stage trachyte-syenite intrusions exposed in coastal western India and the Seychelles,and shows that the Mumbai rhyolites and trachytes form a compositional continuum.展开更多
A12.24km long tunnel between Maroshi and Ruparel College is being excavated by tunnel boring machine(TBM)to improve the water supply system of Greater Mumbai,India.In this paper,attempt has been made to establish the ...A12.24km long tunnel between Maroshi and Ruparel College is being excavated by tunnel boring machine(TBM)to improve the water supply system of Greater Mumbai,India.In this paper,attempt has been made to establish the relationship between various litho-units of Deccan traps,stability of tunnel and TBM performances during the construction of5.83km long tunnel between Maroshi and Vakola.The Maroshi–Vakola tunnel passes under the Mumbai Airport and crosses both runways with an overburden cover of around70m.The tunneling work was carried out without disturbance to the ground.The rock types encountered during excavation arefine compacted basalt,porphyritic basalt,amygdaloidal basalt pyroclastic rocks with layers of red boles and intertrappean beds consisting of various types of shales Relations between rock mass properties,physico-mechanical properties,TBM specifications and the cor responding TBM performance were established.A number of support systems installed in the tunne during excavation were also discussed.The aim of this paper is to establish,with appropriate accuracy the nature of subsurface rock mass condition and to study how it will react to or behave during under ground excavation by TBM.The experiences gained from this project will increase the ability to cope with unexpected ground conditions during tunneling using TBM.展开更多
A rare occurrence of a microspherule has been found in the infratrappean sediments,encountered below338 m thick Deccan volcanic cover in KLR-1 scientific borehole,drilled in the epicentral zone of the 1993 Killari ear...A rare occurrence of a microspherule has been found in the infratrappean sediments,encountered below338 m thick Deccan volcanic cover in KLR-1 scientific borehole,drilled in the epicentral zone of the 1993 Killari earthquake(Maharashtra,India).Palynological studies of the sediments indicate their age as Early Permian(Asselian,298-295 Ma) for deposition.Transmission electron microscope studies reveal that the spherule from the infratrappeans,is having a similar composition to that of the Neoarchean amphibolite to granulite facies mid crustal basement.The spherule is non-spherical in nature,containing mostly FeO(10.70±0.20 wt.%),CaO(13.8±0.5 wt.%),Al203(7.78±0.30 wt.%),MgO(6.47±0.3 wt.%),Si02(47,46±0.50 wt.%),Ti02(2.47±0.3 wt.%).K20(1.89±0.20 wt.%).and Cl(0.33±0.05 wt.%).Since the Fe composition of the spherule is almost same as the basement rock(10.5 wt.%),and the chlorine content is also in the same range as the basement(0.04-0.24 wt.%),it would suggest possibility of an extraterrestrial impact over the Indian terrain during the erstwhile Gondwana sedimentation period that may be associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction,the most severe one in the Earth's history.展开更多
Whether swarms of preferentially oriented dykes are controlled by regional stress fields, or passively exploit basement structural fabric, is a much debated question, with support for either scenario in individual cas...Whether swarms of preferentially oriented dykes are controlled by regional stress fields, or passively exploit basement structural fabric, is a much debated question, with support for either scenario in individual case studies. The Sarnu-Dandali alkaline complex, near the northwestern limit of the Deccan Traps continental flood basalt province, contains mafic to felsic alkaline volcano-plutonic rocks and carbonatites. The complex is situated near the northern end of the 600 km long, NNWe SSE-trending Barmer-Cambay rift. Mafic enclave swarms in the syenites suggest synplutonic mafic dykes injected into a largely liquid felsic magma chamber. Later coherent dykes in the complex, of all compositions and sizes,dominantly strike NNWe SSE, parallel to the Barmer-Cambay rift. The rift formed during two distinct episodes of extension, NWe SE in the early Cretaceous and NEe SW in the late Cretaceous. Control of the southern Indian Dharwar structural fabric on the rift trend, as speculated previously, is untenable,whereas the regional Precambrian basement trends（Aravalli and Malani） run NEe SW and NNEe SSW.We therefore suggest that the small-scale Sarnu-Dandali dykes and the much larger-scale BarmerCambay rift were not controlled by basement structure, but related to contemporaneous, late Cretaceous regional ENEe WSW extension, for which there is varied independent evidence.展开更多
Eruptions of lava flows of Deccan large igneous province straddled the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary (K-Pg). Sediments associated at different stratigraphic levels within the lava piles of Deccan volcanic sequences (...Eruptions of lava flows of Deccan large igneous province straddled the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary (K-Pg). Sediments associated at different stratigraphic levels within the lava piles of Deccan volcanic sequences (DVS) are mainly terrestrial. We studied the sediments of Eastern and Central Deccan Volcanic Province, and the Malwa Plateau for tracking changes in reptilian tetrapods across the volcanism. The reptiles are mainly represented by abelisaurid-titanosaurid dinosaurs, Alethinophidia madtsoiia snakes, Notosuchian crocodylomorph Simosuchus, bothremydid Kurmademydinae turtles and Anguimorph and Scincomorphs lizards. The evidences suggest that the non-avian dinosaurs were adversely affected by the arrival of the first volcanic flows locally in the province either within C30N or C29R Maastrichtian. The abelisaurid theropods became extinct whereas a single or two species of titanosauriforme dinosaurs survived but eventually became extinct at least 350 ky before the K-Pg boundary with increasing volcanism. The madtsooid snakes and crocodylimorphs were also adversely affected with decline in their diversity and abundance, whereas the Bothremydid turtles survived the initial onslaught of Deccan volcanism and continued across the K-Pg boundary.展开更多
Two petrologically distinct alkali feldspar syenite bodies （AFS-1 and AFS-2） from Chhotaudepur area, Deccan Large Igneous Province are reported in the present work. AFS-1 is characterized by hypidio-morphic texture ...Two petrologically distinct alkali feldspar syenite bodies （AFS-1 and AFS-2） from Chhotaudepur area, Deccan Large Igneous Province are reported in the present work. AFS-1 is characterized by hypidio-morphic texture and consists of feldspar （Or55Ab43 to Or25Ab71）, ferro-pargasite/ferro-pargasite horn-blende, hastingsite, pyroxene （Wo47, En5, Fs46）, magnetite and biotite. AFS-2 exhibits panidiomorphic texture with euhedral pyroxene （Wo47-50, En22-39, Fs12e31） set in a groundmass matrix of alkali feldspar （Or99Ab0.77 to Or1.33Ab98）, titanite and magnetite. In comparison to AFS-1, higher elemental concentra-tions of Ba, Sr and PREE are observed in AFS-2. The average peralkaline index of the alkali feldspar syenites is w1 indicating their alkaline nature. Variation discrimination diagrams involving major and trace elements and their ratios demonstrate that these alkali feldspar syenites have a shoshonite affinity but emplaced in a within-plate and rifting environment. No evidence of crustal contamination is perceptible in the multi-element primitive mantle normalized diagram as well as in terms of trace elemental ratios. The enrichment of incompatible elements in the alkali feldspar syenites suggests the involvement of mantle metasomatism in their genesis.展开更多
We present new 40Ar-39Ar plagioclase crystallization ages from the dykes exposed at the northern slope of the Satpura Mountain range near Betul-Jabalpur-Pachmarhi area, - 800 km NE of the Western Ghats escarpment. Amo...We present new 40Ar-39Ar plagioclase crystallization ages from the dykes exposed at the northern slope of the Satpura Mountain range near Betul-Jabalpur-Pachmarhi area, - 800 km NE of the Western Ghats escarpment. Among the two plateau ages, the first age of 66.56 ± 0.42 Ma from a dyke near Mohpani village represents its crystallization age which is either slightly older or contemporaneous with the nearby Mandla lava flows （63-65 Ma）. We suggest that the Mohpani dyke might be one of the feeders for the surrounding lava flows as these lavas are significantly younger than the majority of the main Deccan lavas of the Western Ghats （66.38-65.54 Ma）. The second age of 56.95 -- 1.08 Ma comes from a younger dyke near Olini village which cuts across the lava flows of the area. The age correlates well with the Mandla lavas which are chemically similar to the uppermost Poladpur, Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formation lavas of SW Deccan. Our study shows that the dyke activities occurred in two phases, with the second one representing the terminal stage.展开更多
Deccan volcanic sequences （DYS） in the central Deccan volcanic province （CDYP） are designated as Sahyadri Group having -500 m thick lava pile associated with multiple sedimentary beds at different strati-graphic l...Deccan volcanic sequences （DYS） in the central Deccan volcanic province （CDYP） are designated as Sahyadri Group having -500 m thick lava pile associated with multiple sedimentary beds at different strati-graphic levels. In the eastern part of CDYP between the latitude 19°55-20°25 ′N and the longitudes 78°15-78° 30′E, palynological investigation of the intertrappean sedimentary beds at five stratigraphic levels was carried out. The study was basically aimed for tracking the floral and environmental changes across the Deccan transi-tion. The resulting finds indicate that the intertrappean sediments at the lowest stratigraphic level between the earliest lava flows are characterized by presence of marker Maastrichtian palynomorphs - Gabonisporis vigour- ouxii, Aquilapollenites bengalensis, Azolla cretacea and Farabeipollis associated with triporate and tricolpate pol-len grains, phytoliths of Oryzeae of Poaceae family and peridinoid dinoflagellate cysts. The increasing volcanism deteriorated the existing flora as evident by absence of pollen-spores and presence of only structured biodegraded organic matter, fungal spores, acritarchs and algal （Botryococcus） remains in the sediments of higher-up in the sequence. For chronostratigraphic constraints on the lava flows magnetic polarity of the flows bracketing the in-tertrappean beds was investigated. The results indicated presence of N-R-N-R magnetic polarity in the basal la-va pile that are interpreted as representing the magnetochron C30N to C28R （ Maastrichtian-Paleogene）. The floral change begins with the onset of volcanism in the chron C30N and floral deterioration is observed in C29N with increasing volcanism and it is only in the chron C28 R （ Danian） that some evidence of recovery of flora is recorded. The current study shows that in eastern part of CDYP the post Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary erup-tions represent the main phase of eruptions that triggered deterioration of the flora.展开更多
Rubbly pahoehoe lava flows are abundant in many continental flood basalts including the Deccan Traps.However,structures with radial joint columns surrounding cores of flow-top breccia(FTB),reported from some Deccan ru...Rubbly pahoehoe lava flows are abundant in many continental flood basalts including the Deccan Traps.However,structures with radial joint columns surrounding cores of flow-top breccia(FTB),reported from some Deccan rubbly pahoehoe flows,are yet unknown from other basaltic provinces.A previous study of these Deccan "breccia-cored columnar rosettes" ruled out explanations such as volcanic vents and lava tubes,and showed that the radial joint columns had grown outwards from cold FTB inclusions incorporated into the hot molten interiors.How the highly vesicular(thus low-density)FTB blocks might have sunk into the flow interiors has remained a puzzle.Here we describe a new example of a Deccan rubbly pahoehoe flow with FTB-cored rosettes,from Elephanta Island in the Mumbai harbor.Noting that(1)thick rubbly pahoehoe flows probably form by rapid inflation(involving many lava injections into a largely molten advancing flow),and(2)such flows are transitional to 'a'a flows(which continuously shed their top clinker in front of them as they advance),we propose a model for the FTB-cored rosettes.We suggest that the Deccan flows under study were shedding some of their FTB in front of them as they advanced and,with high-eruption rate lava injection and inflation,frontal breakouts would incorporate this FTB rubble,with thickening of the flow carrying the rubble into the flow interior.This implies that,far from sinking into the molten interior,the FTB blocks may have been rising,until lava supply and inflation stopped,the flow began solidifying,and joint columns developed outward from each cold FTB inclusion as already inferred,forming the FTB-cored rosettes.Those rubbly pahoehoe flows which began recycling most of their FTB became the 'a'a flows of the Deccan.展开更多
Hydrocarbon exploration interests have renewed the need for developing new sub basalt imaging techniques. One of the most important problems encountered today is seismic imaging below basalt. In recent years, this pro...Hydrocarbon exploration interests have renewed the need for developing new sub basalt imaging techniques. One of the most important problems encountered today is seismic imaging below basalt. In recent years, this problem appears to have been overcome partly by using long offset seismic data. However near offset data are yet to be fully utilised due to the complex waveform caused by the surface as well as internal heterogeneity of the basalts. The near normal incidence data, which influence the sub-basalt imaging, are highly useful to understand the internal structure within a basalt layer. The use of converted waves for such targets has been proposed as an alternative in a rather homogeneous basalt layer. With a few synthetic modelling exercises here we highlight the practical difficulties in dealing with more realistic and heterogeneous basalt flow. Full waveform seismograms are computed to understand the effects of intra-trappean sediments on the seismic data. A case study from the Deccan Traps of India is presented in this paper. First, we discuss the effects of intercalated sediments on the overall seismic image. Later, the sonic log data from the field are used to compute the full wave-field response using the reflectivity method and compared with the field data. The feasibility of using mode converted waves （P to S and vice-versa at the top and bottom basalt interfaces） for sub-basalt imaging in Kutch region is discussed through a series of velocity-depth profiles. By comparing with the field data we demonstrate that the effects of multiple thin layering within the basalt can strongly deteriorate the image we seek to interpret and exploit.展开更多
The giant plagioclase basalts (GPBs) with plagioclase phenocrysts that reach up to 3 cm in length are found near Jabalpur in the northeastern part of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). The thickness of the basalt flo...The giant plagioclase basalts (GPBs) with plagioclase phenocrysts that reach up to 3 cm in length are found near Jabalpur in the northeastern part of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). The thickness of the basalt flow (flow 6) that contains the GPBs is ~ 20 m. Plagioclase phenocysts (An58 - An64) in the GPBs display many features of magma mixing (e.g., resorption, reverse zoning). Of the nine flows in the Jabalpur section, the GPBs (flow 6) with lowest Mg#s (38 - 43) and MgO (4.16 - 5.08 wt%), Ni and Cr abundances are the most evolved compositions. In addition, these GPBs have highest abundances of incompatible elements (TiO2, P2O5, Nb, Zr, Sr and Ba). The GPBs are compositionally similar to the well-studied Mahabaleshwar lavas of the western DVP. This new occurrence of GPBs has implications for existence of local crustal magma chambers, feeders and vents in the northeastern part of the DVP.展开更多
Many Propositions are made about the mechanism of emplacement of volcanoclastic material in the Bombay volcanic complex. The present paper deals exclusively with the physical features of the deposits laid by a complex...Many Propositions are made about the mechanism of emplacement of volcanoclastic material in the Bombay volcanic complex. The present paper deals exclusively with the physical features of the deposits laid by a complex tectono-magmatic process by making detailed inventory of the different kind of volcanic ejecta exposed in the Bomay Volcanic Complex (BVC), and an attempt has been made to classify the deposits genetically. A subsidenace which was hinted at earlier, may be a possible cauldron in BVC has been proposed, which might be responsible for producing such a varied and complex lithology.展开更多
The enormous eruptive volume of India's Deccan continental flood basalts has been linked to global mass extinction at Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and destablilisation of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems be...The enormous eruptive volume of India's Deccan continental flood basalts has been linked to global mass extinction at Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and destablilisation of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems before and after the Chicxulub bolide impact. Deccan Volcanic Province(DVP) currently covers around 500 000 km^2 of land between latitude 15°10′-24°30′N and longitude 70°10′-82°10′E over central India towards the west coast. The pre-erosional volume is estimated at around 1.6 million km^3 which is one of the largest volcanic eruptions on the Earth. The Deccan lava flows in geographically separated areas in DVP are considered to have separate sources and sites of eruptions and were outpoured in different magnetochrons viz. C30 n to C28 n of Maastrichtian to Paleocene. The Deccan volcanic sequences(DVS) in different provinces are associated with(i) sediments deposited before the arrival(Ground Zero) of the first lava flows-designated as infratrappean or Lameta sediments and(ii) sediments between the lava flows deposited during the period of quiescence at different stratigraphic levels designated as intertrappean(interflow) sediments. The Ground Zero Lameta sediments are the major dinosaur bearing sediments deposited in six inland basins viz. 1. Balasinor-Jhabua;2. Sagar;3. Jabalpur;4. Ambikapur-Amarkantak;5. Salburdi;6. Nand-Dongargaon. The sediments represent mainly the terrestrial ecosystems destabilised by the volcanism and they record history of biotic and environmental changes impacted by the volcanism across the Deccan volcanic eruptions. The titanosaurs, crocodylimorphs and bothremydid turtles survived across the first flows in the region in the C30 n. The skeletal remains of the surviving reptiles are preserved in the Deccan volcanic associated intertrappean lake sediments at different stratigraphic levels higher-up in the sequence. Locally, in the Malwa region the Scincomorp and Anguimorph lizards make their first appearance during the earlier phase of volcanic eruptions in C30 n wherein their well preserved bones are found in the intertrappean/inter lsva lake sediments deposited between the lava flows. The lizard fauna is indicated to have better flourished after the initial Deccan eruptions possibly owing to increased humidity.展开更多
The Deccan Syneclise is considered to have significant hydrocarbon potential. However, significant hydrocarbon discoveries, particularly for Mesozoic sequences, have not been established through conventional explorati...The Deccan Syneclise is considered to have significant hydrocarbon potential. However, significant hydrocarbon discoveries, particularly for Mesozoic sequences, have not been established through conventional exploration due to the thick basalt cover over Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. In this study, near-surface geochemical data are used to understand the petroleum system and also investigate type of source for hydrocarbons generation of the study area. Soil samples were collected from favorable areas identified by integrated geophysical studies. The compositional and isotopic signatures of adsorbed gaseous hydrocarbons （methane through butane） were used as surface indicators of pe- troleum micro-seepages. An analysis of 75 near-surface soil-gas samples was carried out for light hydrocarbons （C_1-C_4） and their carbon isotopes from the western part of Tapti graben, Deccan Syneclise, India. The geochemical results reveal sites or clusters of sites containing anomalously high concentrations of light hydrocarbon gases. High concentrations of adsorbed thermogenic methane （C1 518 ppb） and ethane plus higher hydrocarbons （∑C2＋ = 977 ppb） were observed. Statistical analysis shows that samples from 13% of the samples contain anomalously high concentrations of light hydrocarbons in the soil-gas constituents. This seepage suggests largest magnitude of soil gas anomalies might be generated/source from Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, beneath Deccan Traps. The carbon isotopic composition of methane, ethane and propane ranges are from 22.5‰to -30.2‰ PDB, -18.0‰ to 27.1‰,, PDB and 16.9‰-32.1‰ PDB respectively, which are in thermogenic source. Surface soil sample represents the intersection of a migration conduit from the deep subsurface to the surface connected to sub-trappean Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. Prominent hydrocarbon concentra- tions were associated with dykes, lineaments and presented on thinner basaltic cover in the study area, which probably acts as channel for the micro-seepage of hydrocarbons.展开更多
Dykes are primarily extensional fractures that form perpendicular to the minimum principal compressive stress,which have been extensively studied in the world during the past decades for various reasons including the
A review of the existing knowledge on the Deccan Volcanic Province of India shows that it has a significant geographic bias towards the western parts,while the rest of the province is not as well constrained.Emerging ...A review of the existing knowledge on the Deccan Volcanic Province of India shows that it has a significant geographic bias towards the western parts,while the rest of the province is not as well constrained.Emerging data on its structure,geochronology and volcanology in the last decade suggests that many existing concepts and models of this large Continental Flood Basalt Province are open to revisions or replacement.展开更多
The late Maastrichtian witnessed substantial surges in Deccan volcanism,prompting the hypothesis that these voluminous pulses may have instigated repeated episodes of ocean acidification during this period.The Cretace...The late Maastrichtian witnessed substantial surges in Deccan volcanism,prompting the hypothesis that these voluminous pulses may have instigated repeated episodes of ocean acidification during this period.The Cretaceous-Palaeogene(K/Pg)boundary at Bidart(France)is preceded by a~0.5 m thick interval with geochemical and taphonomic vestiges of an ocean acidification event linked with Deccan volcanism.New planktic foraminifera census and morphometric data now confirm biotic stress conditions related to acidification in the Deccan benchmark interval.The absolute abundance data of larger(>150μm)heavily calcified planktic morphogroups show fluctuating populations throughout zone CF1(spanning the final~225 ky),lowest peaks within the Deccan benchmark,and a demographic collapse(>90%)at the K/Pg boundary.The analyzed species are generally reduced in size,with thinner test walls in this~0.5 m interval,indicating the likelihood of calcification stress as a contributor to the overall biotic stress.At the K/Pg boundary,maximum biotic stress is recorded in all the tested faunal proxies.A preliminary graphic correlation of zone CF1 at Bidart with the auxiliary GSSP at Elles(Tunisia)constrains the Deccan benchmark interval of high biotic stress to the final~58ky of the late Maastrichtian,culminating in the K/Pg mass extinction.The volcanogenic Hg peaks coincident with faunal and taphonomic evidence of ocean acidification strengthen the Deccan-related ocean acidification hypothesis.展开更多
The prominent linear dyke ridges outcropped in the Narmada-Tapi dykes’ swarm represent an intrusion in the Deccan Traps. Understanding the relationship among the underlying geological structures, the strike of the dy...The prominent linear dyke ridges outcropped in the Narmada-Tapi dykes’ swarm represent an intrusion in the Deccan Traps. Understanding the relationship among the underlying geological structures, the strike of the dykes, and the channel patterns is essential. Dykes act as obstructions to stream flow, causing diversions, and their geometry and patterns significantly impact the rivers and streams that drain and cross the dyke swarm zone. For this study, Google Earth images, LISS III images, and Cartosat DEM were used to delineate the Shivan basin and extract dyke features. The Shivan River basin is a sixth-order drainage system that reflects superimposed drainage systems within the Tapi dyke swarm zone. About 65% (169 km2) of its area is controlled by dyke orientation. The dyke ridges align predominantly in an East-West (E-W) direction, a pattern mainly followed by lower-order streams, which have developed an insequent, transverse drainage network within the dyke swarm zone. In the lower parts of the Shivan basin, where the number of dykes decreases, the drainage network follows the general slope and is oriented in a North-South direction. The Shivan River and its tributaries have partially adjusted to the dyke orientation, resulting in a transverse drainage pattern in areas characterized by parallel dyke ridges.展开更多
基金supported by the research award project RI/0220-10000618-001 to Sheth from the Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre(IRCC)IIT Bombay.Shekhar and Astha were supported by Prime Minister’s Research Fellowships(PMRF,File Nos.1303100 and 1303103,respectively)+4 种基金Naik was initially supported by an IIT Bombay Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship(File No.HR-1(HRM-1)/Rect/33/2022/20003002)subsequently by a Goa State Research Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship(File No.PDF2024003)We express our sincere gratitude to Prof.N.Prabhakar for kindly granting us access to the WD-XRF spectrometry facility(SIP ProjectWBS Code:IN/22-1111039E-01)the ICP-MS facility,and the SERB-funded EPMA National Facility(IRPHA Grant No.IR/S4/ESF-16/2009(G))in the Department of Earth Sciences,IIT Bombay.
文摘Large-scale Danian-age(post-K/Pg boundary)Deccan magmatism is well known from the Mumbai metropolitan area,located in the structurally complex Panvel flexure zone along the western Indian rifted continental margin.This compositionally diverse late-Deccan magmatic suite contains subaerial tholeiitic lavas and dykes typical of the main Deccan province,with many features atypical of the Deccan,such as spilitic pillow lavas,“intertrappean”sediments(often containing considerable volcanic ash),rhyolitic lavas and tuffs,gabbro-granophyre intrusions,and trachyte intrusions containing alkali basalt enclaves.Most of these units,previously dated at 62.5 Ma to 61 Ma,are contemporaneous with or slightly postdate the 62.5 Ma India-Seychelles continental breakup and Panvel flexure formation.In the Dongri-Uttan area,two samples of a>50-m-thick,columnar-jointed rhyolite from the Darkhan Quarry and from a section behind the current Uttan Sagari Police Station have previously been dated at 62.6±0.6 Ma and 62.9±0.2 Ma(^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar,2r errors).New exposures reveal that these two statistically indistinguishable 40 Ar/39 Ar ages correspond to two distinct rhyolite units,separated by well-bedded silicic ash.The columnar rhyolites are microcrystalline,composed of quartz and alkali feldspar,with rare small(1–2 mm),altered feldspar phenocrysts,and no recognisable relict vitroclasts.Given the westerly structural dip,most of their lateral extent is submerged under the Arabian Sea,and we consider them to be possible flood rhyolite lavas.We interpret the ash beds,composed of pumice clasts and glass shards,as a low-grade(nonwelded)vitric ash,derived from a possibly distal Plinian eruption and deposited by fallout.The lavas and ash are peraluminous rhyolites.The lavas are Sr-Ba-poor and Rb-Zr-Nb-rich,and show“seagull-shaped”rare earth element patterns with deep negative europium anomalies.These crystal-poor lavas are“hot-dry-reduced”rhyolites typical of intraplate,continental rift and rifted margin settings.The very different high-field strength element contents of the lavas and the ash indicate compositionally distinct magma batches.The 62.5 Ma Dongri-Uttan sequence provides clear evidence for rapid silicic eruptions of effusive and explosive nature,alternating with each other and sourced from distinct magma chambers and eruptive vents.A newly identified,highly feldspar-phyric trachyte intrusion marks the last phase of magmatic activity in the area,corresponding with late-stage trachyte-syenite intrusions exposed in coastal western India and the Seychelles,and shows that the Mumbai rhyolites and trachytes form a compositional continuum.
基金a part of the project "Universities Natural Science Research Project in Anhui Province" (KJ2011Z375)supported by Department of Education of Anhui Province
文摘A12.24km long tunnel between Maroshi and Ruparel College is being excavated by tunnel boring machine(TBM)to improve the water supply system of Greater Mumbai,India.In this paper,attempt has been made to establish the relationship between various litho-units of Deccan traps,stability of tunnel and TBM performances during the construction of5.83km long tunnel between Maroshi and Vakola.The Maroshi–Vakola tunnel passes under the Mumbai Airport and crosses both runways with an overburden cover of around70m.The tunneling work was carried out without disturbance to the ground.The rock types encountered during excavation arefine compacted basalt,porphyritic basalt,amygdaloidal basalt pyroclastic rocks with layers of red boles and intertrappean beds consisting of various types of shales Relations between rock mass properties,physico-mechanical properties,TBM specifications and the cor responding TBM performance were established.A number of support systems installed in the tunne during excavation were also discussed.The aim of this paper is to establish,with appropriate accuracy the nature of subsurface rock mass condition and to study how it will react to or behave during under ground excavation by TBM.The experiences gained from this project will increase the ability to cope with unexpected ground conditions during tunneling using TBM.
基金PLANEX,Physical Research LaboratoryISRO-Space Application center,Ahmedabad for financial supportingsupported by the CSIR-Emeritus Scientist project sanctioned to O.P.Pandey
文摘A rare occurrence of a microspherule has been found in the infratrappean sediments,encountered below338 m thick Deccan volcanic cover in KLR-1 scientific borehole,drilled in the epicentral zone of the 1993 Killari earthquake(Maharashtra,India).Palynological studies of the sediments indicate their age as Early Permian(Asselian,298-295 Ma) for deposition.Transmission electron microscope studies reveal that the spherule from the infratrappeans,is having a similar composition to that of the Neoarchean amphibolite to granulite facies mid crustal basement.The spherule is non-spherical in nature,containing mostly FeO(10.70±0.20 wt.%),CaO(13.8±0.5 wt.%),Al203(7.78±0.30 wt.%),MgO(6.47±0.3 wt.%),Si02(47,46±0.50 wt.%),Ti02(2.47±0.3 wt.%).K20(1.89±0.20 wt.%).and Cl(0.33±0.05 wt.%).Since the Fe composition of the spherule is almost same as the basement rock(10.5 wt.%),and the chlorine content is also in the same range as the basement(0.04-0.24 wt.%),it would suggest possibility of an extraterrestrial impact over the Indian terrain during the erstwhile Gondwana sedimentation period that may be associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction,the most severe one in the Earth's history.
基金supported by the Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre (IRCC), IIT Bombay (Grant No. 09YIA001 to Sheth)supported by a Ph.D. Scholarship from the University Grants Commission (UGC), Govt. of India
文摘Whether swarms of preferentially oriented dykes are controlled by regional stress fields, or passively exploit basement structural fabric, is a much debated question, with support for either scenario in individual case studies. The Sarnu-Dandali alkaline complex, near the northwestern limit of the Deccan Traps continental flood basalt province, contains mafic to felsic alkaline volcano-plutonic rocks and carbonatites. The complex is situated near the northern end of the 600 km long, NNWe SSE-trending Barmer-Cambay rift. Mafic enclave swarms in the syenites suggest synplutonic mafic dykes injected into a largely liquid felsic magma chamber. Later coherent dykes in the complex, of all compositions and sizes,dominantly strike NNWe SSE, parallel to the Barmer-Cambay rift. The rift formed during two distinct episodes of extension, NWe SE in the early Cretaceous and NEe SW in the late Cretaceous. Control of the southern Indian Dharwar structural fabric on the rift trend, as speculated previously, is untenable,whereas the regional Precambrian basement trends（Aravalli and Malani） run NEe SW and NNEe SSW.We therefore suggest that the small-scale Sarnu-Dandali dykes and the much larger-scale BarmerCambay rift were not controlled by basement structure, but related to contemporaneous, late Cretaceous regional ENEe WSW extension, for which there is varied independent evidence.
文摘Eruptions of lava flows of Deccan large igneous province straddled the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary (K-Pg). Sediments associated at different stratigraphic levels within the lava piles of Deccan volcanic sequences (DVS) are mainly terrestrial. We studied the sediments of Eastern and Central Deccan Volcanic Province, and the Malwa Plateau for tracking changes in reptilian tetrapods across the volcanism. The reptiles are mainly represented by abelisaurid-titanosaurid dinosaurs, Alethinophidia madtsoiia snakes, Notosuchian crocodylomorph Simosuchus, bothremydid Kurmademydinae turtles and Anguimorph and Scincomorphs lizards. The evidences suggest that the non-avian dinosaurs were adversely affected by the arrival of the first volcanic flows locally in the province either within C30N or C29R Maastrichtian. The abelisaurid theropods became extinct whereas a single or two species of titanosauriforme dinosaurs survived but eventually became extinct at least 350 ky before the K-Pg boundary with increasing volcanism. The madtsooid snakes and crocodylimorphs were also adversely affected with decline in their diversity and abundance, whereas the Bothremydid turtles survived the initial onslaught of Deccan volcanism and continued across the K-Pg boundary.
基金financial support from Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi in the form of research grant (ESS/16/295/2006) to KRH and NVCR is acknowledged
文摘Two petrologically distinct alkali feldspar syenite bodies （AFS-1 and AFS-2） from Chhotaudepur area, Deccan Large Igneous Province are reported in the present work. AFS-1 is characterized by hypidio-morphic texture and consists of feldspar （Or55Ab43 to Or25Ab71）, ferro-pargasite/ferro-pargasite horn-blende, hastingsite, pyroxene （Wo47, En5, Fs46）, magnetite and biotite. AFS-2 exhibits panidiomorphic texture with euhedral pyroxene （Wo47-50, En22-39, Fs12e31） set in a groundmass matrix of alkali feldspar （Or99Ab0.77 to Or1.33Ab98）, titanite and magnetite. In comparison to AFS-1, higher elemental concentra-tions of Ba, Sr and PREE are observed in AFS-2. The average peralkaline index of the alkali feldspar syenites is w1 indicating their alkaline nature. Variation discrimination diagrams involving major and trace elements and their ratios demonstrate that these alkali feldspar syenites have a shoshonite affinity but emplaced in a within-plate and rifting environment. No evidence of crustal contamination is perceptible in the multi-element primitive mantle normalized diagram as well as in terms of trace elemental ratios. The enrichment of incompatible elements in the alkali feldspar syenites suggests the involvement of mantle metasomatism in their genesis.
基金Department of Science and Technology,Government of India for financial support to this work(Project Grant No.ESS/16/286/2006)Post-Doctoral,D.S. Kothari Fellowship for financial support
文摘We present new 40Ar-39Ar plagioclase crystallization ages from the dykes exposed at the northern slope of the Satpura Mountain range near Betul-Jabalpur-Pachmarhi area, - 800 km NE of the Western Ghats escarpment. Among the two plateau ages, the first age of 66.56 ± 0.42 Ma from a dyke near Mohpani village represents its crystallization age which is either slightly older or contemporaneous with the nearby Mandla lava flows （63-65 Ma）. We suggest that the Mohpani dyke might be one of the feeders for the surrounding lava flows as these lavas are significantly younger than the majority of the main Deccan lavas of the Western Ghats （66.38-65.54 Ma）. The second age of 56.95 -- 1.08 Ma comes from a younger dyke near Olini village which cuts across the lava flows of the area. The age correlates well with the Mandla lavas which are chemically similar to the uppermost Poladpur, Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formation lavas of SW Deccan. Our study shows that the dyke activities occurred in two phases, with the second one representing the terminal stage.
基金SERB-DST ( no. SR / S4 / ES619 /2012 ) for financial assistance
文摘Deccan volcanic sequences （DYS） in the central Deccan volcanic province （CDYP） are designated as Sahyadri Group having -500 m thick lava pile associated with multiple sedimentary beds at different strati-graphic levels. In the eastern part of CDYP between the latitude 19°55-20°25 ′N and the longitudes 78°15-78° 30′E, palynological investigation of the intertrappean sedimentary beds at five stratigraphic levels was carried out. The study was basically aimed for tracking the floral and environmental changes across the Deccan transi-tion. The resulting finds indicate that the intertrappean sediments at the lowest stratigraphic level between the earliest lava flows are characterized by presence of marker Maastrichtian palynomorphs - Gabonisporis vigour- ouxii, Aquilapollenites bengalensis, Azolla cretacea and Farabeipollis associated with triporate and tricolpate pol-len grains, phytoliths of Oryzeae of Poaceae family and peridinoid dinoflagellate cysts. The increasing volcanism deteriorated the existing flora as evident by absence of pollen-spores and presence of only structured biodegraded organic matter, fungal spores, acritarchs and algal （Botryococcus） remains in the sediments of higher-up in the sequence. For chronostratigraphic constraints on the lava flows magnetic polarity of the flows bracketing the in-tertrappean beds was investigated. The results indicated presence of N-R-N-R magnetic polarity in the basal la-va pile that are interpreted as representing the magnetochron C30N to C28R （ Maastrichtian-Paleogene）. The floral change begins with the onset of volcanism in the chron C30N and floral deterioration is observed in C29N with increasing volcanism and it is only in the chron C28 R （ Danian） that some evidence of recovery of flora is recorded. The current study shows that in eastern part of CDYP the post Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary erup-tions represent the main phase of eruptions that triggered deterioration of the flora.
文摘Rubbly pahoehoe lava flows are abundant in many continental flood basalts including the Deccan Traps.However,structures with radial joint columns surrounding cores of flow-top breccia(FTB),reported from some Deccan rubbly pahoehoe flows,are yet unknown from other basaltic provinces.A previous study of these Deccan "breccia-cored columnar rosettes" ruled out explanations such as volcanic vents and lava tubes,and showed that the radial joint columns had grown outwards from cold FTB inclusions incorporated into the hot molten interiors.How the highly vesicular(thus low-density)FTB blocks might have sunk into the flow interiors has remained a puzzle.Here we describe a new example of a Deccan rubbly pahoehoe flow with FTB-cored rosettes,from Elephanta Island in the Mumbai harbor.Noting that(1)thick rubbly pahoehoe flows probably form by rapid inflation(involving many lava injections into a largely molten advancing flow),and(2)such flows are transitional to 'a'a flows(which continuously shed their top clinker in front of them as they advance),we propose a model for the FTB-cored rosettes.We suggest that the Deccan flows under study were shedding some of their FTB in front of them as they advanced and,with high-eruption rate lava injection and inflation,frontal breakouts would incorporate this FTB rubble,with thickening of the flow carrying the rubble into the flow interior.This implies that,far from sinking into the molten interior,the FTB blocks may have been rising,until lava supply and inflation stopped,the flow began solidifying,and joint columns developed outward from each cold FTB inclusion as already inferred,forming the FTB-cored rosettes.Those rubbly pahoehoe flows which began recycling most of their FTB became the 'a'a flows of the Deccan.
文摘Hydrocarbon exploration interests have renewed the need for developing new sub basalt imaging techniques. One of the most important problems encountered today is seismic imaging below basalt. In recent years, this problem appears to have been overcome partly by using long offset seismic data. However near offset data are yet to be fully utilised due to the complex waveform caused by the surface as well as internal heterogeneity of the basalts. The near normal incidence data, which influence the sub-basalt imaging, are highly useful to understand the internal structure within a basalt layer. The use of converted waves for such targets has been proposed as an alternative in a rather homogeneous basalt layer. With a few synthetic modelling exercises here we highlight the practical difficulties in dealing with more realistic and heterogeneous basalt flow. Full waveform seismograms are computed to understand the effects of intra-trappean sediments on the seismic data. A case study from the Deccan Traps of India is presented in this paper. First, we discuss the effects of intercalated sediments on the overall seismic image. Later, the sonic log data from the field are used to compute the full wave-field response using the reflectivity method and compared with the field data. The feasibility of using mode converted waves （P to S and vice-versa at the top and bottom basalt interfaces） for sub-basalt imaging in Kutch region is discussed through a series of velocity-depth profiles. By comparing with the field data we demonstrate that the effects of multiple thin layering within the basalt can strongly deteriorate the image we seek to interpret and exploit.
文摘The giant plagioclase basalts (GPBs) with plagioclase phenocrysts that reach up to 3 cm in length are found near Jabalpur in the northeastern part of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). The thickness of the basalt flow (flow 6) that contains the GPBs is ~ 20 m. Plagioclase phenocysts (An58 - An64) in the GPBs display many features of magma mixing (e.g., resorption, reverse zoning). Of the nine flows in the Jabalpur section, the GPBs (flow 6) with lowest Mg#s (38 - 43) and MgO (4.16 - 5.08 wt%), Ni and Cr abundances are the most evolved compositions. In addition, these GPBs have highest abundances of incompatible elements (TiO2, P2O5, Nb, Zr, Sr and Ba). The GPBs are compositionally similar to the well-studied Mahabaleshwar lavas of the western DVP. This new occurrence of GPBs has implications for existence of local crustal magma chambers, feeders and vents in the northeastern part of the DVP.
文摘Many Propositions are made about the mechanism of emplacement of volcanoclastic material in the Bombay volcanic complex. The present paper deals exclusively with the physical features of the deposits laid by a complex tectono-magmatic process by making detailed inventory of the different kind of volcanic ejecta exposed in the Bomay Volcanic Complex (BVC), and an attempt has been made to classify the deposits genetically. A subsidenace which was hinted at earlier, may be a possible cauldron in BVC has been proposed, which might be responsible for producing such a varied and complex lithology.
基金the Research Grant ( MoES / PO ( GEOSCI ) /49 /2015 ) of Ministry of Earth Sciences,Government of India,New Delhi
文摘The enormous eruptive volume of India's Deccan continental flood basalts has been linked to global mass extinction at Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and destablilisation of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems before and after the Chicxulub bolide impact. Deccan Volcanic Province(DVP) currently covers around 500 000 km^2 of land between latitude 15°10′-24°30′N and longitude 70°10′-82°10′E over central India towards the west coast. The pre-erosional volume is estimated at around 1.6 million km^3 which is one of the largest volcanic eruptions on the Earth. The Deccan lava flows in geographically separated areas in DVP are considered to have separate sources and sites of eruptions and were outpoured in different magnetochrons viz. C30 n to C28 n of Maastrichtian to Paleocene. The Deccan volcanic sequences(DVS) in different provinces are associated with(i) sediments deposited before the arrival(Ground Zero) of the first lava flows-designated as infratrappean or Lameta sediments and(ii) sediments between the lava flows deposited during the period of quiescence at different stratigraphic levels designated as intertrappean(interflow) sediments. The Ground Zero Lameta sediments are the major dinosaur bearing sediments deposited in six inland basins viz. 1. Balasinor-Jhabua;2. Sagar;3. Jabalpur;4. Ambikapur-Amarkantak;5. Salburdi;6. Nand-Dongargaon. The sediments represent mainly the terrestrial ecosystems destabilised by the volcanism and they record history of biotic and environmental changes impacted by the volcanism across the Deccan volcanic eruptions. The titanosaurs, crocodylimorphs and bothremydid turtles survived across the first flows in the region in the C30 n. The skeletal remains of the surviving reptiles are preserved in the Deccan volcanic associated intertrappean lake sediments at different stratigraphic levels higher-up in the sequence. Locally, in the Malwa region the Scincomorp and Anguimorph lizards make their first appearance during the earlier phase of volcanic eruptions in C30 n wherein their well preserved bones are found in the intertrappean/inter lsva lake sediments deposited between the lava flows. The lizard fauna is indicated to have better flourished after the initial Deccan eruptions possibly owing to increased humidity.
文摘The Deccan Syneclise is considered to have significant hydrocarbon potential. However, significant hydrocarbon discoveries, particularly for Mesozoic sequences, have not been established through conventional exploration due to the thick basalt cover over Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. In this study, near-surface geochemical data are used to understand the petroleum system and also investigate type of source for hydrocarbons generation of the study area. Soil samples were collected from favorable areas identified by integrated geophysical studies. The compositional and isotopic signatures of adsorbed gaseous hydrocarbons （methane through butane） were used as surface indicators of pe- troleum micro-seepages. An analysis of 75 near-surface soil-gas samples was carried out for light hydrocarbons （C_1-C_4） and their carbon isotopes from the western part of Tapti graben, Deccan Syneclise, India. The geochemical results reveal sites or clusters of sites containing anomalously high concentrations of light hydrocarbon gases. High concentrations of adsorbed thermogenic methane （C1 518 ppb） and ethane plus higher hydrocarbons （∑C2＋ = 977 ppb） were observed. Statistical analysis shows that samples from 13% of the samples contain anomalously high concentrations of light hydrocarbons in the soil-gas constituents. This seepage suggests largest magnitude of soil gas anomalies might be generated/source from Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, beneath Deccan Traps. The carbon isotopic composition of methane, ethane and propane ranges are from 22.5‰to -30.2‰ PDB, -18.0‰ to 27.1‰,, PDB and 16.9‰-32.1‰ PDB respectively, which are in thermogenic source. Surface soil sample represents the intersection of a migration conduit from the deep subsurface to the surface connected to sub-trappean Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. Prominent hydrocarbon concentra- tions were associated with dykes, lineaments and presented on thinner basaltic cover in the study area, which probably acts as channel for the micro-seepage of hydrocarbons.
文摘Dykes are primarily extensional fractures that form perpendicular to the minimum principal compressive stress,which have been extensively studied in the world during the past decades for various reasons including the
基金Financial support from DST and IRCC,IIT Bombay(to KP)and DST and MoES(to VSK)is gratefully acknowledged.
文摘A review of the existing knowledge on the Deccan Volcanic Province of India shows that it has a significant geographic bias towards the western parts,while the rest of the province is not as well constrained.Emerging data on its structure,geochronology and volcanology in the last decade suggests that many existing concepts and models of this large Continental Flood Basalt Province are open to revisions or replacement.
基金supported by Princeton University’s Scott and Tuttle FundsThe Department of Science and Technology(DST,India)INSPIRE Faculty Award DST/INSPIRE/04/2015/0003110。
文摘The late Maastrichtian witnessed substantial surges in Deccan volcanism,prompting the hypothesis that these voluminous pulses may have instigated repeated episodes of ocean acidification during this period.The Cretaceous-Palaeogene(K/Pg)boundary at Bidart(France)is preceded by a~0.5 m thick interval with geochemical and taphonomic vestiges of an ocean acidification event linked with Deccan volcanism.New planktic foraminifera census and morphometric data now confirm biotic stress conditions related to acidification in the Deccan benchmark interval.The absolute abundance data of larger(>150μm)heavily calcified planktic morphogroups show fluctuating populations throughout zone CF1(spanning the final~225 ky),lowest peaks within the Deccan benchmark,and a demographic collapse(>90%)at the K/Pg boundary.The analyzed species are generally reduced in size,with thinner test walls in this~0.5 m interval,indicating the likelihood of calcification stress as a contributor to the overall biotic stress.At the K/Pg boundary,maximum biotic stress is recorded in all the tested faunal proxies.A preliminary graphic correlation of zone CF1 at Bidart with the auxiliary GSSP at Elles(Tunisia)constrains the Deccan benchmark interval of high biotic stress to the final~58ky of the late Maastrichtian,culminating in the K/Pg mass extinction.The volcanogenic Hg peaks coincident with faunal and taphonomic evidence of ocean acidification strengthen the Deccan-related ocean acidification hypothesis.
文摘The prominent linear dyke ridges outcropped in the Narmada-Tapi dykes’ swarm represent an intrusion in the Deccan Traps. Understanding the relationship among the underlying geological structures, the strike of the dykes, and the channel patterns is essential. Dykes act as obstructions to stream flow, causing diversions, and their geometry and patterns significantly impact the rivers and streams that drain and cross the dyke swarm zone. For this study, Google Earth images, LISS III images, and Cartosat DEM were used to delineate the Shivan basin and extract dyke features. The Shivan River basin is a sixth-order drainage system that reflects superimposed drainage systems within the Tapi dyke swarm zone. About 65% (169 km2) of its area is controlled by dyke orientation. The dyke ridges align predominantly in an East-West (E-W) direction, a pattern mainly followed by lower-order streams, which have developed an insequent, transverse drainage network within the dyke swarm zone. In the lower parts of the Shivan basin, where the number of dykes decreases, the drainage network follows the general slope and is oriented in a North-South direction. The Shivan River and its tributaries have partially adjusted to the dyke orientation, resulting in a transverse drainage pattern in areas characterized by parallel dyke ridges.
